By STEFFAN THOMAS

PONTYPOOL underlined why they are favourites for promotion to the Premiership as they ran in seven tries at South Parade to thrash Maesteg Harlequins 50-3. Pat Lewis, Sam Scarfe, Sam Cochrane, Deon Smith, Dan Babos, Garin Price and Joel Mahony scored their tries. The pick of the bunch came when Price sliced through the Maesteg defence before the ball was put through five sets of hands, ending back up with Price who finished a majestic team try. Cardiff Met were also big winners in the first round of the WRU Championship as they ran riot to record a convincing 49...